<p><big><b>The biggest rivalries in Seattle sports</b></big></p>
<p>Seattle sports fans don't often show hatred of opposing teams, but when they do, it can get nasty. Cases in point: The Seahawks-49ers rivalry, resuming Thanksgiving night in a high-stakes showdown, and Saturday's 107th edition of the Apple Cup.</p>
<p>We take a look at some of the best rivalries in Seattle sports, both current and past. Cruise through the gallery to see our most heated head-to-head matchups.</p> less

<p><big><b>The biggest rivalries in Seattle sports</b></big></p>
<p>Seattle sports fans don't often show hatred of opposing teams, but when they do, it can get nasty. Cases in point: The Seahawks-49ers ... more

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images

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<p><b> Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders </b></p>
<p>This rivalry prospered in the 1980s with Bo Jackson and Brian Bosworth, Steve Largent versus Lester Hayes, and five epic Monday-night AFC matchups. These teams certainly boiled each other's blood, and it surely made for great television.</p> less

<p><b>Seattle Sonics vs. Los Angeles Lakers</b></p>
<p>The two teams shared the Pacific Division when the Sonics were still a thing. And while the Lakers dominated much of the time, a fiery stretch in the 1990s, headlined by Seattle's Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp, made for a classic rivalry between the two.</p> less

<p><b>Seattle Sonics vs. Los Angeles Lakers</b></p>
<p>The two teams shared the Pacific Division when the Sonics were still a thing. And while the Lakers dominated much of the time, a fiery stretch in the ... more

Photo: Vince Bucci / AFP / Getty Images

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<p><b>Seattle Mariners vs. New York Yankees (circa 1995) </b></p>
<p>Let's face it, everyone hates the Yankees. But this rivalry took shape in 1995 during one of the most memorable stretches in Seattle sports history. It culminated in the '95 American League Divisional Series with a Double, a Mariners dogpile and a Dave Niehaus call that still sends chills down fans' spines.</p>
<p>The rivalry has lost its luster since, but Safeco still fills up whenever the Yankees come to town. And thus the rivalry lives on.</p> less

<p><b>Seattle Mariners vs. New York Yankees (circa 1995) </b></p>
<p>Let's face it, everyone hates the Yankees. But this rivalry took shape in 1995 during one of the most memorable stretches in Seattle ... more

Photo: Vince Bucci / AFP / Getty Images

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<p><b>Seattle vs. Alex Rodriguez </b></p>
<p>It takes a lot to bring out the boo birds in Seattle. Typically, Seattle sports fans have been reserved and cordial, but that all changes whenever Alex Rodriguez comes to town. Or, at least, whenever he did. We're left with the question: Who does like A-Rod? His mom, maybe?</p> less

<p><b>Seattle vs. Alex Rodriguez </b></p>
<p>It takes a lot to bring out the boo birds in Seattle. Typically, Seattle sports fans have been reserved and cordial, but that all changes whenever Alex Rodriguez ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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<p><b>Seattle Mariners vs. San Diego Padres</b></p>
<p>This is barely a rivalry, as rivals are born from cutthroat competition and neither of these teams has been competitive until recently. But, for one minor reason, they are indeed rivals -- because they share a facility at spring training. More light-hearted than fierce, this is probably the most underwhelming rivalry in Seattle sports.</p> less

<p><b>Seattle Mariners vs. San Diego Padres</b></p>
<p>This is barely a rivalry, as rivals are born from cutthroat competition and neither of these teams has been competitive until recently. But, for one ... more

Photo: Denis Poroy / Getty Images

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<p><b>Washington Huskies vs. Oregon Ducks</b></p>
<p>Now over a century old, this battle of the borders has grown into one of college football's most storied rivalries -- at least on the West Coast. The rivalry has grown in the past 60 years as both programs have traded dominant stretches against each other. Now, the domination belongs to Oregon (winners of 11-straight meetings), but that hasn't cooled the hatred between the two fanbases. Not one bit.</p> less

<p><b>Washington Huskies vs. Oregon Ducks</b></p>
<p>Now over a century old, this battle of the borders has grown into one of college football's most storied rivalries -- at least on the West Coast. The ... more

Photo: Steve Dykes / Getty Images

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<p><b>Seattle Seahawks vs. Pittsburgh Steelers</b></p>
<p>The two teams rarely meet, but Seahawks fans will never forget the Super Bowl XL matchup that saw the Steelers emerge victorious (with a little help from the officials). In the heart of every Seahawks fan, there's a special piece of hatred reserved for the black and yellow of the Steelers -- and a little left over for referee Bill Leavy.</p> less

<p><b>Seattle Seahawks vs. Pittsburgh Steelers</b></p>
<p>The two teams rarely meet, but Seahawks fans will never forget the Super Bowl XL matchup that saw the Steelers emerge victorious (with a little help ... more

Photo: Rob Tringali / Getty Images

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<p><b>Seattle Sounders FC vs. Portland Timbers</b></p>
<p>This rivalry dates to the days of the North American Soccer League, but has picked up considerable steam since the two teams joined Major League Soccer. Since the Sounders joined the MLS in 2009, soccer has flourished in the Northwest thanks, in large part, to the rabid fan bases of the Sounders and Timbers.</p> less

<p><b>Seattle Sounders FC vs. Portland Timbers</b></p>
<p>This rivalry dates to the days of the North American Soccer League, but has picked up considerable steam since the two teams joined Major League ... more

Photo: Tom Hauck / Getty Images

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<p><b>Seattle vs. David Stern</b></p>
<p>Is there a more hated man in Seattle than David Stern? Probably not. The former NBA commissioner helped tear a 41-year-old franchise away from Seattle, then kept a team on the brink of coming to Seattle (the Kings) in their home of Sacramento. No Seattleite is sad Stern retired in February. But is the new commish, Adam Silver, really be any better?</p> less

<p><b>Seattle vs. David Stern</b></p>
<p>Is there a more hated man in Seattle than David Stern? Probably not. The former NBA commissioner helped tear a 41-year-old franchise away from Seattle, then kept a ... more

<p><b>Washington Huskies vs. Washington State Cougars -- the Apple Cup </b></p>
<p>The two teams have met 106 times and the rivalry lives on. Perhaps one the most polarizing aspects of the state, this rivalry even transcends football. Every season, in-state bragging rights are on the line as students, alumni and casual onlooking Washingtonians channel their inner hatred toward one another. It's perhaps the biggest rivalry in Seattle sports.</p> less

<p><b>Washington Huskies vs. Washington State Cougars -- the Apple Cup </b></p>
<p>The two teams have met 106 times and the rivalry lives on. Perhaps one the most polarizing aspects of the state, this ... more

Photo: Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images

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<p><b>Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers</b></p>
<p>This rivalry is young, having developed only since 2010, but there's no mistaking it now: These two teams hate one another. It has become the best rivalry in the NFL, according to many. It all came to a head last January, when they met in the NFC championship game. Winner would go to Super Bowl XLVIII. And we all know how that turned out.</p> less

<p><b>Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers</b></p>
<p>This rivalry is young, having developed only since 2010, but there's no mistaking it now: These two teams hate one another. It has become the best ... more